All-NWA Media Football: Bentonville's Rooney Named Defensive Player Of The Year

BENTONVILLE -- There was never any doubt Harrison Rooney would serve as one of the defensive standouts on Bentonville's football team this fall, and he was fully aware of the expectations.

"It's definitely brings a change of attitude," the senior linebacker said. "Not only do you have to prepare for yourself, but prepare for those younger guys. All eyes are on you. You have to go out there every day, and you have to be practicing hard.

"If your senior leaders aren't practicing hard or they're not in the film room, the younger guys will start thinking that's how it supposed to be, and it trickles down throughout the program. I think it's important to have strong leaders on the team, and on the successful football teams, that's the source of their success."

The Tigers had to endure the loss of defensive lineman Javier Carbonell for the entire season and one of the worst starts in recent school history, but Rooney's output on the field never changed. He continued to be that leader on a defensive unit that was one of the best in the state.

That kind of performance Rooney provided week in and week out made him a deserving choice for this year's Defensive Player of the Year by NWA Media.

"We knew that Harrison, without question, was going to be one of those in a leadership role, and not just because he's a senior," Bentonville coach Barry Lunney said. "Being a leader is something you earn from your teammates over a period of years, and I think it took more significant because of our start.

"We know we got his greatest effort in every game. I think good leadership raises the level of those around him, and I think that's what Harrison did. When you line up around Harrison or you're watching him from the sideline, you see that level of play, even when things went bad. You saw the intensity and enthusiasm he brought on every play."

Rooney compiled more than 100 tackles for the second consecutive season, finishing with a team-high 118 this season. Almost two-thirds of those were solo tackles, and he also had five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks, including one on a fourth-down play against North Little Rock.

He also had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in Bentonville's 45-2 rout of Fayetteville that closed out the regular season and gave Bentonville a share of 7A-West Conference title -- the eighth straight year the Tigers have won at least a portion of that crown.

"I expected to have a decent year, but I think I had a pretty good year," Rooney said. "It was the result of a lot of hard work with the coaching staff in the offseason and dedication in the film room, and a great coaching staff to give me that opportunity to perform on the field.

"That 0-4 start is definitely not the way you imagine your senior year to go. It gets old losing, but when faced with adversity this group of guys really came together. To see that turning point in the season in week five against Fort Smith Northside, it completely changed everything. If we hadn't won that game, I don't know where the season had gone."

About the only thing that wavered about Rooney through the season was his plans for college. He made a verbal commitment with Air Force before the season started, but that changed when Army entered the picture.

After some heavy recruiting by Army, Rooney decommitted to Air Force during the regular season. He then committed to sign with Army during the week of the Class 7A State Championship.

"Army had been my dream school, and I have a lot of Army ties with my family," Rooney said. "I wanted Army, but they really didn't notice me until halfway through the season.

"Once they did notice me, they really recruited me hard. About three-fourths of the way through the season, I received an offer, and I knew that's where I wanted to be."

Sports on 12/21/2014